Brent Malaver has announced that he will run for the District 1 seat on the Ocala City Council.

Malaver will hold a campaign kick off at 11:30 a.m. Thursday across from the downtown square at the former Chamber of Commerce site. Free hot dogs and beverages will be offered.

For more information, call Malaver at 362-4901.

Rally in support of man being held by Taliban

Beginning at 8 a.m. Friday, a peaceful demonstration will be held at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park in support of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the nation’s only prisoner of war. An official program will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the park.

Bergdahl was taken prisoner by the Taliban on June 30, 2009, in Afghanistan. He escaped twice, but was re-captured. His parents recently received a letter in his handwriting. Events are being held across the nation through the weekend to raise awareness about his plight.

For more information about the local event, email whitetailchsr2@aol.com or call the park at 671-8422.

Quarterly reading honors local veterans

A number of World War II veterans will be guest readers during the Marion County Veterans Council’s quarterly Veterans Honor Roll event that begins at 10 a.m. July 13 at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park, 2601 E. Fort King St., Ocala.

The names of local veterans who died in the previous three months will be read in a ceremony accompanied by a drum roll and the tolling of a bell, along with the presentation of colors.